GWAA – CELEBRATING AN EXCITING YEAR
By Kristen Betts, EdD ’98
President, George Washington Alumni Association

It has been a dynamic year for the GWAA. I would like to thank all alumni, the Office of Alumni Programs, the Division of Advancement, the Board of Trustees, and GW for continued support throughout the year. We have fulfilled our mission and we have begun looking to the future through the development of a strategic plan.

When I began my term as president, I adopted three priorities for the GWAA: connection, reconnection, and advancing GW. I am proud to say that through the hard work of the GWAA Board of Directors, committees, and GW staff we have embraced these priorities and achieved many of the goals that we set for 2004-2005.

CONNECTION – It is important that the GWAA create a bond with students while they are on campus, beginning with freshman year all the way through graduation. Throughout the year the GWAA co-sponsored numerous events on campus and across the U.S. to reach out to students. On campus, new initiatives such as the “Dinner with Alumni” program and the “How Do I Become A….” lecture series brought students together with alumni and members of GW’s Board of Trustees to discuss opportunities for professional development.

Through our grants program, we were able to assist undergraduate and graduate students host events that brought alumni back to GW to celebrate special anniversaries at schools across campus. We also hosted events to welcome the freshman class, a graduate student wine and cheese reception, and a graduation toast for seniors.

RECONNECTION – It is important that GWAA reach out to all GW alumni and enable them to reconnect to GW. We are always looking for new ways to engage alumni and invite them to become (or remain) a part of our spirited community.

The GWAA and the Office of Alumni Programs hosted events locally, nationally, and internationally that reconnected alumni to GW. President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg spoke at alumni events held in Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, New York City, Boston, Seoul, Korea, and Paris, France. The GWAA also sponsored social and educational events for local alumni, including a night at the theatre, an evening at a Washington Nationals game, a lecture on entrepreneurship by Warren Brown, owner of CakeLove, and numerous basketball tailgaters.

Participation in alumni athletic teams in the D.C. area was at an all-time high. Professors from GW traveled to Boston and New York to speak to alumni about topics surrounding the 2004 presidential election. We also had a great turnout for Colonials Weekend. We hope to see all of you on campus this fall to celebrate this year’s event.

ADVANCING GW – As alumni, our support plays a critical role in the University’s operations both now and in the future. GW’s alumni giving rate is respectable, but improvements will enhance University rankings. We encourage ALL alumni to support GW.

The GWAA is proud to share with our alumni that we had 100 percent of our 52-member Board of Directors make a gift to GW this year. This demonstrates the commitment of our board to GW. Please help GW by making a gift today – it is not the size of the contribution, but your participation that matters. Your gifts advance GW and strengthen your connection to the University.

It has been an honor to serve you and the Board of Directors as president of the GWAA. I am proud to be a part of such an outstanding association and esteemed University. I welcome the incoming officers and new members of the GWAA. In closing, thank you again for your support.